Product bagging apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and a method for filling a bag with a product, such as vegetables or the like. The product is moved into the bag when its upper end is held open. The movement of the product to the bag will be stopped automatically after the weight of the bag reaches a predetermined value. A pivotally mounted platform supports the bag as it is being filled.

United States Patent F gg 1451 Sept. 19, 1972 [5 PRODUCT BAGGlNGAPPARATUS 3,416,620 12/1968 McClusky ..53/59 W X [72] Inventor: DanielA. Fogg Fremont Mich 1,386,546 8/1921 Zanone ..l77/l 19 [73] Assignee:Gerber Products Company, Fre- Primary Examiner-Travis S. McGehee mont,Mich, Attorney-Townsend and Townsend [22] Filed: March 4, 1971 [57]ABSTRACT [21] APPLNOJ 121,088 Apparatus and a method for filling a bagwith a product, such as vegetables or the like. The product is 52 0moved into the bag when its upper end is held open. g gz z fiz g gg Themovement of the product to the bag will be 58 F l I stoppedautomatically after the weight of the bag 1 of Search "53/59 w; 177/9293, reaches a predetermined value. A pivotally mounted platform supportsthe bag as it is being filled. [56] References Cited 8 Claims, 8 DrawingFigures UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,521,426 7/l970 Evins' ..53/59 W 32 2B 38as r m 54 Hb/m 36 590 i -42 4;; k i II II 1] a ======i6k 5.4 /78 r us 3452 g as i f E 2 \fil 76'I 24 i 82 17s 5 K 1 5 us 72 W 213 --ze '1 54 J8A 23 92 I as 160 42 L 54 I2 36 PA'TENTEDsEP 19 m2 SHEET 2 OF 4 m wlINVENTOR- DANIEL A. F066 AT TORNEYS C159: J '0 F |e 5 ll2 INVENTOR.

F 3-4 BY DANIEL A. FOGG ATTORNEYS PATENTED SEP 19 m2 SHEET 1} BF 4INVENTOR.

' DANIEL 'A. FOGG PRODUCT BAGGING APPARATUS This invention relates tobag filling techniques and, more particularly, to improved apparatus anda method for filling a bag with a product, such as raw vegetables or thelike.

In the processing of vegetables for canning purposes, the canningprocess oftentimes occurs long after the vegetables have been harvested.It is necessary, therefore, to store the vegetables intact forrelatively long periods of time, such as 6 months or more. The generalpractice is to put the vegetables in bags and to store them in a freezeror other region to preserve the same until they are ready to beprocessed. It is desirable that the vegetables be placed in bagsaccording to weight since this parameter is most often used in preparingbatch mixtures of vegetables during processing.

" The present invention provides improved apparatus and a methodsuitable for bagging a product, such as raw vegetables, to carry out theforegoing. In practicing the invention, a plurality of bags can besuccessively filled with a product according to weight while the productitself remains intact. The bag filling method of the invention can becarried out with substantially no interruption in the flow of theproduct of the bag filling region.

The apparatus of the invention utilizes a simple and ruggedconveyor-chute assembly and improved means for holding the open, upperend of each of a pair of bags in alignment with one end of the conveyorso that a product carried by the conveyor can be directed first into onebag, then into the second bag while the first bag is being removed andreplaced by a third bag, and so on. Each bag is supported by a platformwhich is pivotally mounted to one end of a beam'which serves to indicatethe weight of the product in the bag. Gate means adjacent to theconveyor operates to control the flow of the product to the bags as afunction of weight of the product in each bag. In this way, continuousflow of the product can be realized to minimize bag filling times.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatusand method for filling a bag with a product'wherein the flow of theproduct to the bag will be stopped automatically when the weight of theproduct in the bag reaches a predetermined value.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus and a method ofthe type described wherein a pair of bags can be alternately filled withthe product to permit the flow of the product to be substantiallycontinuous at all times to thereby provide for volume filling of thebags.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the followingspecification progresses, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings for the illustration of an embodiment of the apparatus.

In the Drawings FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the article baggingapparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus, parts being broken away toillustrate details of construction;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the apparatus;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary top plan view of the apparatus,showing the latch for the swingable gate thereof;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the latch of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the clamp for a bag usedwith the apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, enlarged top plan view of the gate and its biasmeans; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevational view of the gate.

The apparatus which is the subject matter of this invention is broadlydenoted by the numeral 10 and includes a table-like support 12 having anumber of legs 14 whose lower ends are adapted to engage and to extendupwardly from a floor or other supporting surface. Support 12 can be ofany suitable construction but, for purposes of illustration, itcomprises an open framework. A pair of endless belt conveyors 16 and 18are mounted on support 12, conveyor 16 being slightly inclined andconveyor 18 being generally horizontal. The downstream end of conveyorl6'is directly above the upstream end of conveyor 18. Each conveyor hasa generally flat, upper stretch for receiving and conveying a product,such as raw vegetables, to the right when viewing FIG. 1. The endlessflexible belt 20 of conveyor 16 preferably is of a porous material, suchas wick wire or the like, to allow excess moisture to drain off theproduct conveyed thereby. The moisture can drip through this belt andgravitate to the floor on which support 12 is disposed. The endlessflexible belt 22 of conveyor 18 has an upper stretch which advances theproduct between a pair of spaced side rails 23 to a pair of side-by-sidechutes 24 and 26 (FIG. 2) in alignment with the downstream end of theconveyor. The chutes are substantially of the same size and constructionand adapted to direct articles into respective chutes and then into bagssupported therebelow in a manner to be described. Side rails 23 aresecured to support 12 in any suitable manner.

A pair of beam members 28 and 30 are disposed on opposite sides ofsupport 12 and slightly below the plane of conveyor 18, there being abeam member for each chute,-respectively. Each beam member maybe of anysuitable construction but, for purposes of illustration, each beammember is comprised of an open frame having a pair of spaced sides 32and 34 interconnected by a number of spaced crosspieces 36. Pivot meansincluding a generally horizontal pivot pin 38 pivotally mounts each ofthe beam members on support 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the pivot pin 38 ofbeam member 30 is mounted on a vertical leg 40 of support 12. Pins 38 ofboth beam members are in horizontal alignment with each other as shownin FIG. 2.

Each of the beam members has a generally vertically disposed tubularbody 42 coupled to the end of the beam member adjacent to and incommunication with a respective chute. Each tubular body has upper andlower open ends.

A platform 46 is provided for each beam member, respectively. Eachplatform 46 is pivotally mounted by a pin 48 on the end of thecorresponding beam member near the tubular body 42 thereof so that theplatform can pivot relative to the beam member as the latter rotatesabout the corresponding pivot pin 38. Platform 46 has a lower, generallyhorizontal bag-supporting surface 50 which is directly below thecorresponding chute and tubular body 42. A bag releasably clamped to theouter surface of the corresponding tubular body 42 can be supported atits bottom on surface 50. The center of gravity of platform 46 is suchthat surface 50 remains centrally located beneath the correspondingtubular body 42 when the corresponding beam member is horizontallydisposed.

Means for clamping the upper end of an open bag to the outer surface ofeach of the tubular bodies 42 includes a toggle arrangement of the typeshown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6 wherein a pair of clamping units 52 areprovided for each of the tubular bodies 42, respectively. Each clampingunit 52 has an arcuate, rigid band 54 which is adapted to clamp theadjacent upper portion of a bag against the cylindrical outer surface 56of the corresponding tubular body 42. Band 54 is secured to a stem 58which is generally horizontally disposed and connected to the lower endof a vertical arm 60 whose upper end is pivotally mounted by a 62 to alateral projection 64 rigid to and extending outwardly from outersurface 56. For purposes 'of illustration, FIG. 6 shows the clampingunit 52 for one side of each tubular body 42 A toggle 66, including apair of relatively shiftable arms 68 and 70, is pivotally mounted by apin 72 to arm 60 intermediate the ends of the latter. A pin 74interconnects arms 68 and 70, the opposite end of arm 68 being rigidlysecured to a side bar 76 which extends to and is pivotally mounted bythe corresponding pin 48 on the proximal end of the corresponding beammember, as shown in FIG. 1. The two side bars of the adjacent clampingunits 52 are interconnected by a crossbar78 (FIG. 3), whereby each pairof side bars 76 can be manually raised and lowered.

As the side bars are raised, toggles 66 cause the corresponding arms 60to pivot outwardly of and away from the adjacent tubular member 42 sothat bands 54 move away from the tubular body and allow a bag to beplaced between the bands and the outer surface 56 of the tubular body.Lowering of bars 76 causes bands 54 to move into engagement with a bagto clamp the same against outer surface 56. In this way, the open end ofthe bag can be in communication with and held in surroundingrelationship to the corresponding tubular body 42.

Chutes 24 and 26 have a common end boundary defined by an end wall 80(FIGS. 2 and 3). A common central wall 82 perpendicular to end wall 80separates the two chutes. Wall 82 has a vertical end margin 84 whichdefines one side of the entrance to each chute.

A pair of swingable gates 86 and 88 are pivotally mounted on respectiveside rails 23 by respective pivot pins 90 and 92 for rotation into andout of blocking relationship to the entrances to respective chutes 24and 26. As shown in FIG. 2, gate 86 spans the distance between pivot pin90 and end margin 84 of wall 82; thus, gate 86 blocks the entrance tochute 24. In this way, a product moving under the influence of conveyor18 cannot enter chute 24 and must pass into chute 26. Gate 88 is shownin full lines in FIG. 2 in a position in which the entrance to chute 26is open. In the dashed ing pin 92 and held thereon by a washer 96 and acotter pin 98. i

Means is provided for releasably holding each gate in its open position.To this end, each gate has a latch member 100 secured thereto, the latchmember being formed of a pair of slotted projections 102 and 104 whichare spaced apart and are interconnected by a crosspiece 106 having ahousing 107 in which is shiftably mounted an extension 108, theextension projecting downwardly from crosspiece 106 as shown in FIG. 5.A coil spring 109 in housing 107 biases extension 108 downwardly. Thelocation of crosspiece 106 along the lengths of projections 102 and 104can be adjusted.

Extension 108 is adapted to engage the upper end 110 of a rod 112rigidly secured and extending upwardly from the corresponding beammember as shown in FIG. 1. End 110 provides a barrier preventingextension 108 and thereby the corresponding gate from swinging to thechute-blocking position of the gate when the corresponding beam memberis horizontal. As the beam rotates about pivot pin 38 in a clockwisesense when viewing FIG. 1, rod 1 12 moves downwardly and eventuallymoves out of engagement with exten sion 108, whereupon the correspondingcoil spring 94 will cause the gate to move inwardly to its chuteblockingposition, thereby blocking the flow of the product to the correspondingchute. The weight of the product in a bag disposed on the platform ofthe beam member will thus determine when flow to the bag'will bestopped. The gate can be manually returned after the corresponding beammember has returned to its horizontal position. The lower end ofextension 108 is beveled to provide a camming action. As the gate ismoved to the open position, extension 108 comes in contact with upperend 110 of rod 112. The camming action of extension 108 overcomes thebias of spring 109 and extension 108 deflects upwardly, thereby clearingend 110 and allowing the gate to move to its inoperative position. Thebias of spring 109 then urges extension 108 downwardly once again so asto block movement of end 110. Thus, the gate is releasably held in itsinoperative position.

A counterweight 114 is mounted on the end of each beam member,respectively, opposite to the end to which a bag is to be coupled. Acompression spring 116 is connected to and spans the distance betweeneach beam member, respectively, and support 12 as shown in FIG. 1.

In operation, a bag is clamped to the tubular body 42 of a chute 26 byuse of the clamping units shown in FIGS. 2, 3 arid 6. Assuming that gate88 is open and gate 86 is closed, as shown in FIG. 2, product flow onthe conveyors is commenced and the product will flow into chute 26 andinto the bag aligned therewith. As this occurs, another bag can beplaced on tubular body 42 corresponding to chute 24.

As the product flows into the bag, nothing occurs until the weight ofthe product in the bag overcomes the weight of counterweight 114 of beammember 30. When this occurs, beam member 30 pivots about pivot pin 38 ina clockwise sense (FIG. 1) lifting counterweight 114 and compressingspring 116 while lowering the corresponding rod 112. When sufficientweight has been added in the bag to compress spring 116 enough to allowrod 112 to become disengaged from extension 108, gate 88 automaticallymoves inwardly to the dashed line position of FIG. 2, thus blocking theflow of articles to chute 26. Preferably, gate 86 will have been openedbefore this occurs to allow the final flow of articles to the bag ofchute 26 to flow at a lower rate and give better weight control. Whengate 88 closes, gate 86, being opened, will then receive the fullproduct flow and will direct it into chute 24 and into the bag alignedtherewith. As the bag below chute 24 is being filled, an operator willhave an opportunity to remove the full bag of chute 26 and replace itwith an empty bag in the manner described above. v

Other means of detecting the weight of the bag can be utilized ifdesired. For instance, instead of a pivot pin 38 for each beam member, aknife edge pivot can be used. Also, a beam member with a sliding weightcontrol for weight adjustment can be used instead of compression spring116. Also, the release means for the gates could be operatedelectrically, pneumatically or the like. Furthermore, switch means canbe utilized for cutting off the operation of the conveyors in the eventthat both gates are closed.

I claim:

l. Bag filling apparatus comprising: a support; a conveyor mounted onthe support for moving a product along a predetermined horizontal path,said conveyor having one end disposed to permit a product moved therebyto move off the same; means adjacent to said one end of the conveyor andin alignment therewith for releasably holding the upper end of a pair ofbags in a open condition with said open end of each of said bags in alocation to receive a portion of the product moving off said one end ofthe conveyor; means extending downwardly from said holding means andbeing pivotal relative thereto for independently supporting the lowerend of each of said pair of bags; a pair of gates shiftably mounted onthe support above the conveyor for movement into and out of an operativeposition in blocking relationship to respective portions of said path,each of said gates being normally biased toward said operative position;independent actuatable means adapted for releasably holding each gateout of said position; and means responsive to the weight of the articlesin respective of said bags for actuating said holding means to permitthe respective gate to be released and to move to said position.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said holding meansincludes a pair of spaced bands and a body aligned with said one end ofthe conveyor and provided with an outer surface, and clamping meanscoupled with the bands for moving the same toward the surface of thetubular body through a distance sufficient to cause a bag to be clampedagainst the same.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said clamping meansincludes a toggle.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bag supporting meansincludes a platform having an upper end, said actuating means includinga beam member swingable mounted on the support, the upper end of theplatform being pivotally mounted on one end of the beam member.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included a pair ofspaced side rails adjacent to the sides of said conveyor and disposed toretain said product thereon, said gate having pivot means mounted on oneof said rails, and means on said pivot means for biasing the gate intosaid position.

6. Apparatus for alternately filling a pair of bags with a productcomprising: a support; a conveyor on the support for moving a productalong a generally horizontal path, said conveyor provided with a pair ofspaced side rails for retaining a product thereon and having adownstream end disposed to permit a product moved thereby to move offthe same; a pair of chutes carried by the support adjacent to saiddownstream end and disposed to receive the product moving off saidconveyor; a beam member for each chute, respectively, each beam memberbeing mounted on said support for rotation about a generally horizontalaxis with one end of the beam member being adjacent to the respectivechute; meanson each beammember, respectively, and in communication witha respective chute for releasably holding the upper end of a bag in anopen condition across the path of travel of the product moving off theconveyor and into the respective chute; a platform for each beam member,respectively, each platform being pivotally mounted on said one end ofthe respective beam member and extending downwardly therefrom, eachplatform-being disposed to support a bag when the bag is held by saidholding means and as the bag is being filled with the product; a gatefor each chute, respectively; means pivotally mounting each gate on arespective side rail for movement into and out of a position blockingthe flow of the product to the respective chute; means biasing eachgate, respectively, into the chute-blocking position thereof; a latch oneach gate, respectively; and means on each beam member, respectively,for engaging the latch of a respective gate and for releasably holdingthe gate out of said blocking position until the respective beam memberhas pivoted relative to said support about said axis under the influenceof the weight of the product in a bag coupled with the respectiveholdingmeans.

7. Bag filling apparatus comprising: a support; a conveyor mounted onthe support for moving a product along a predetermined path, saidconveyor having one end disposed to permit a product moved thereby tomove off the same; means adjacent to said one end of the conveyor and inalignment therewith for releasably holding the upper end of a bag in anopen condition with said open end of the bag in a location to receivethe product moving off said one end of the conveyor; means extendingdownwardly from said holding means and being pivotal relative theretofor supporting the lower end of the bag held by said holding means; agate shiftably mounted on the support above the conveyor for movementinto and out of an operative position in blocking relationship to saidpath, said gate being biased toward said position; actuatable meansreleasably holding the gate out of said position; and means responsiveto the weight of the articles in the bag for actuating such holdingmeans to permit the gate to be released and to move to said position,said actuating means including a beam member having means pivotallymounting the same on the support for movement about a generallyhorizontal axis, and means for applying a force to the beam member in adirection opposite to the direction in which the beam member tends torotate due to the weight in a bag coupled therewith.

8. Bag filling apparatus comprising: a support; a conveyor mounted onthe support for moving a product along a predetermined path, saidconveyor having one end disposed to permit a product moved thereby tomove off the same; means adjacent to said one end of the conveyor and inalignment therewith for releasably holding the upper end of a bag in anopen condition with said open end of the bag in a location to receivethe product moving off said one end of the conveyor; means extendingdownwardly from said holding means and being pivotal relative theretofor supporting the lower end of the bag held by said holding means; agate shiftably mounted on the support above the conveyor for movementinto and out of an operative position in blocking relationship to saidpath, said gate being biased toward said position; actuatable meansincluding a latch releasably holding the gate out of said position; andmeans responsive to the weight of the articles in the bag for actuatingsuch holding means to permit the gate to be released and to move to saidposition, said actuating means including a beam member pivotally mountedon the support and having a projection engaging the latch and releasablyholding the gate out of said operative position, said projection beingmovable in a direction out of coupled relationship with the latch as thebeam member pivots in one direction relative to the support, whereby thegate is released and is free to move into said position.

1. Bag filling apparatus comprising: a support; a conveyor mounted onthe support for moving a product along a predetermined horizontal path,said conveyor having one end disposed to permit a product moved therebyto move off the same; means adjacent to said one end of the conveyor andin alignment therewith for releasably holding the upper end of a pair ofbags in a open condition with said open end of each of said bags in alocation to receive a portion of the product moving off said one end ofthe conveyor; means extending downwardly from said holding means andbeing pivotal relative thereto for independently supporting the lowerend of each of said pair of bags; a pair of gates shiftAbly mounted onthe support above the conveyor for movement into and out of an operativeposition in blocking relationship to respective portions of said path,each of said gates being normally biased toward said operative position;independent actuatable means adapted for releasably holding each gateout of said position; and means responsive to the weight of the articlesin respective of said bags for actuating said holding means to permitthe respective gate to be released and to move to said position. 2.Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said holding means includes apair of spaced bands and a body aligned with said one end of theconveyor and provided with an outer surface, and clamping means coupledwith the bands for moving the same toward the surface of the tubularbody through a distance sufficient to cause a bag to be clamped againstthe same.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said clampingmeans includes a toggle.
 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, whereinsaid bag supporting means includes a platform having an upper end, saidactuating means including a beam member swingable mounted on thesupport, the upper end of the platform being pivotally mounted on oneend of the beam member.
 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein isincluded a pair of spaced side rails adjacent to the sides of saidconveyor and disposed to retain said product thereon, said gate havingpivot means mounted on one of said rails, and means on said pivot meansfor biasing the gate into said position.
 6. Apparatus for alternatelyfilling a pair of bags with a product comprising: a support; a conveyoron the support for moving a product along a generally horizontal path,said conveyor provided with a pair of spaced side rails for retaining aproduct thereon and having a downstream end disposed to permit a productmoved thereby to move off the same; a pair of chutes carried by thesupport adjacent to said downstream end and disposed to receive theproduct moving off said conveyor; a beam member for each chute,respectively, each beam member being mounted on said support forrotation about a generally horizontal axis with one end of the beammember being adjacent to the respective chute; means on each beammember, respectively, and in communication with a respective chute forreleasably holding the upper end of a bag in an open condition acrossthe path of travel of the product moving off the conveyor and into therespective chute; a platform for each beam member, respectively, eachplatform being pivotally mounted on said one end of the respective beammember and extending downwardly therefrom, each platform being disposedto support a bag when the bag is held by said holding means and as thebag is being filled with the product; a gate for each chute,respectively; means pivotally mounting each gate on a respective siderail for movement into and out of a position blocking the flow of theproduct to the respective chute; means biasing each gate, respectively,into the chute-blocking position thereof; a latch on each gate,respectively; and means on each beam member, respectively, for engagingthe latch of a respective gate and for releasably holding the gate outof said blocking position until the respective beam member has pivotedrelative to said support about said axis under the influence of theweight of the product in a bag coupled with the respective holdingmeans.
 7. Bag filling apparatus comprising: a support; a conveyormounted on the support for moving a product along a predetermined path,said conveyor having one end disposed to permit a product moved therebyto move off the same; means adjacent to said one end of the conveyor andin alignment therewith for releasably holding the upper end of a bag inan open condition with said open end of the bag in a location to receivethe product moving off said one end of the conveyor; means extendingdownwardly from said holding means and being pivotal relative theretofor supporting the loWer end of the bag held by said holding means; agate shiftably mounted on the support above the conveyor for movementinto and out of an operative position in blocking relationship to saidpath, said gate being biased toward said position; actuatable meansreleasably holding the gate out of said position; and means responsiveto the weight of the articles in the bag for actuating such holdingmeans to permit the gate to be released and to move to said position,said actuating means including a beam member having means pivotallymounting the same on the support for movement about a generallyhorizontal axis, and means for applying a force to the beam member in adirection opposite to the direction in which the beam member tends torotate due to the weight in a bag coupled therewith.
 8. Bag fillingapparatus comprising: a support; a conveyor mounted on the support formoving a product along a predetermined path, said conveyor having oneend disposed to permit a product moved thereby to move off the same;means adjacent to said one end of the conveyor and in alignmenttherewith for releasably holding the upper end of a bag in an opencondition with said open end of the bag in a location to receive theproduct moving off said one end of the conveyor; means extendingdownwardly from said holding means and being pivotal relative theretofor supporting the lower end of the bag held by said holding means; agate shiftably mounted on the support above the conveyor for movementinto and out of an operative position in blocking relationship to saidpath, said gate being biased toward said position; actuatable meansincluding a latch releasably holding the gate out of said position; andmeans responsive to the weight of the articles in the bag for actuatingsuch holding means to permit the gate to be released and to move to saidposition, said actuating means including a beam member pivotally mountedon the support and having a projection engaging the latch and releasablyholding the gate out of said operative position, said projection beingmovable in a direction out of coupled relationship with the latch as thebeam member pivots in one direction relative to the support, whereby thegate is released and is free to move into said position.